8. Chronic Portosystemic Encephalopathy and its Management

  1. E. Jenny Heathcote MB, BS, MD, FRCP, FRCP(C)3,4,5,6
  1. Leslie B. Lilly MD, MSc, FRCPC1,
  2. Binita M. Kamath MBBChir, MRCP, MTR2,4

Published Online: 4 SEP 2012

DOI: 10.1002/9781118314968.ch8

Book Title

Hepatology: Diagnosis and Clinical Management

Hepatology: Diagnosis and Clinical Management

Additional Information

How to Cite

Lilly, L. B. and Kamath, B. M. (2012) Chronic Portosystemic Encephalopathy and its Management, in Hepatology: Diagnosis and Clinical Management (ed E. J. Heathcote), Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK. doi: 10.1002/9781118314968.ch8

Editor Information

  1. 3

    Francis Family Chair in Hepatology Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  2. 4

    University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  3. 5

    Patient Based Clinical Research Division, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  4. 6

    University Health Network/Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of Toronto, Multi Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  2. 2

    Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  3. 4

    University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Publication History

  1. Published Online: 4 SEP 2012
  2. Published Print: 12 OCT 2012

ISBN Information

Print ISBN: 9780470656174

Online ISBN: 9781118314968

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Keywords:

  • encephalopathy;
  • cirrhosis;
  • peritonitis;
  • ammonia

Summary

While the exact pathophysiological mechanisms underlying portosystemic encephalopathy may not be fully understood, management strategies are relatively well established. These include the identification and elimination of precipitating factors, in association with, or followed by, specific measures designed to reduce arterial ammonia levels. In many patients, liver transplantation may offer the only chance of effective management of this challenging clinical problem.

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